I have made it a habit every night, O honorable Shaykh, before I sleep, to pray four rak'ahs in which I recite a portion of the Noble Qur'an, then follow them with three rak'ahs for the witr.

The questioner : A female questioner says: I have made it a habit every night, O Shaykh, before I sleep, to pray four rak'ahs in which I recite a portion of the Noble Qur'an, then follow them with three rak'ahs for the witr. But sometimes I tell myself that this practice might be an invented religious innovation, even though I am praying and I intend nothing but standing in night prayer and completing the recitation of the Qur'an. What is your opinion, O honorable one, regarding this prayer of mine? Should I continue with this practice or not?

The Shaykh : There is nothing wrong with this, because standing in night prayer is up to the individual. If he is energetic, he may increase the number and length of the prayer. If he is lazy, he should limit himself to what he is able to do.